Chemopreventive

Chemopreventive

Chemopreventive, also known as chemoprevention, is a term used in the field of oncology to describe the use of specific natural or synthetic chemical agents to prevent, suppress, or reverse the process of carcinogenesis. The goal of chemoprevention is to halt the progression of precancerous cells to malignant cancer cells.

Mechanism of Action

Chemopreventive agents work by inhibiting the process of carcinogenesis at various stages. This can be achieved through several mechanisms, including the inhibition of DNA damage, suppression of cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, and the inhibition of angiogenesis and metastasis.

Types of Chemopreventive Agents

Chemopreventive agents can be classified into two main categories: natural and synthetic.

Natural chemopreventive agents include dietary components such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, and phytochemicals like curcumin, resveratrol, and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).

Synthetic chemopreventive agents include drugs such as tamoxifen, raloxifene, and aspirin. These drugs are often used in individuals at high risk of developing cancer, such as those with a strong family history of the disease.

Clinical Applications

Chemoprevention is currently used in clinical practice for the prevention of several types of cancer, including breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and prostate cancer. It is also being investigated for its potential use in the prevention of other types of cancer.

See Also

• Cancer prevention
• Carcinogenesis
• Oncology